Constantine-Silvanus

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paulicianism

The sources show that the majority of the Paulician leaders were Armenians.[5] The founder of the sect is said to have been an Armenian by the name of Constantine,[6] who hailed from Mananalis, a community near Paytakaran. He studied the Gospels and Epistles, combined dualistic and Christian doctrines, and, upon the basis of the former, vigorously opposed the formalism of the church.

According to Christian historian and scholar Samuel Vila:[7] " ... in the year 660 [ Constantine ] received a deacon in his house, who put in his hands a precious and rare treasure in those days before the invention of the printing press: a New Testament. Upon reading the same he came to know about the whole salvation in Christ; and upon sharing said good news with others, he formed a group of sincere believers; later on, of preachers ... who became known as Paulicians ..."

Regarding himself as called to restore the pure Christianity of Paul (of Tarsus), he adopted the name Silvanus (one of Paul's disciples) and about the year 660 founded his first congregation at Kibossa in Armenia. Twenty-seven years afterwards he was arrested by the Imperial authorities, tried for heresy and stoned to death.[8]

Notes

• a b Nersessian, Vrej: The Tondrakian Movement, Princeton Theological Monograph Series, Pickwick Publications, Allison Park, Pennsylvania, 1948, p.53.
• "Constantine-Silvanus, Armenian religious leader." Encyclopædia Britannica. 2008. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Accessed 2 September 2008.
• "A las fuentes del cristianismo", p. 203, 5th Ed. 1976, Tell; 1st Ed. 1931
• a b c CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Paulicians - New Advent: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11583b.htm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constantine-Silvanus

Constantine-Silvanus (died 684) was the founder of the Paulicians, an unorthdox Christian movement in 7th century Armenia.

Constantine was born in Mananali, near Samosata, Syria. He founded the first Paulician community at Kibossa, near Colonia, Armenia and was its leader till his death by stoning.

According to Christian historian and scholar Samuel Vila (A las fuentes del cristianismo, p. 203, 5th Ed. 1976, Tell; 1st Ed. 1931): " ... in the year 660 [Constantine ] received a deacon in his house, who put in his hands a precious and rare treasure in those days before the invention of the printing press: a New Testament. Upon reading the same he came to know about the whole salvation in Christ; and upon sharing said good news with others, he formed a group of sincere believers; later on, of preachers ... who became known as Paulicians ...". (English translation of: "...allá el año 660, hospedó en su casa a un diácono, quien puso en sus manos un precioso y raro tesoro en aquellos tiempos anteriores a la invención de la imprenta: un Nuevo Testamento. Por su lectura obtuvo el conocimiento de la plena salvación que hay en Cristo; y al comunicar esas buenas nuevas a otras personas formó un grupo de creyentes sinceros; y más tarde, de predicadores ... recibieron el nombre de Paulicianos ...")

Notes

• Encyclopædia Britannica retrieved 17:09, 20 September 2005

http://www.britannica.com/biography/Constantine-Silvanus

Constantine-Silvanus, also called Constantine Of Mananali (died c. 684), probable founder of the Middle Eastern sect of Paulicians, a group of Christian dualists.

Constantine-Silvanus is said to have come from Mananali (Mananalis), near Samosata, Syria. In assuming the additional name of Silvanus, he intended to honour a companion of St. Paul; this duality of names was imitated by subsequent Paulician leaders. Becoming a noted teacher, he founded, during the reign (641–668) of the Byzantine emperor Constans II, a Paulician community at Kibossa, near Colonia, Armenia, and directed it until his death. He died by stoning after his arrest by soldiers sent by the emperor Constantine IV (reigned 668–685) to suppress heresy. The leader of this force, Symeon-Titus, became a convert to Paulicianism and was himself martyred (690).

Insisting that the New Testament (as he interpreted it) should be the only written source of religious guidance, Constantine-Silvanus left no known writings.

Other Sources